Iranian army acquires over 200 ‘strategic’ drones
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s army on Friday added over 200 “strategic” domestically-made drones to its fleet during a ceremony in the capital Tehran, state media reported.
The newly-added drones “include a host of long-range drones” which are “now equipped with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, standoff, and smart bombs, as well as electronic warfare systems,” Iran’s state IRNA news agency said, adding that such modifications will enable the drones to “accomplish special missions.”
Iran started developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, during its brutal war with Iraq in the 1980s.
The recent batch of drones are produced by Iran’s defense ministry and designed for reconnaissance and strike missions.
Last May, Iran unveiled an underground drone base in the west of the country on state television without identifying its exact location.
In September, Tehran said it had developed a suicide drone with exclusive capabilities to strike the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa, with the two countries being bitter rivals.
The United States on Wednesday issued new sanctions on Iran’s drone program, targeting six entities in Asia including China for supplying an Iranian company.
Combat drones were on display at a military parade in Tehran on Tuesday marking the country’s annual Army Day, attended by President Ebrahim Raisi.
Iran is accused of supplying drones that have been used by Russia to target critical infrastructure in its war against Ukraine - a charge that Tehran has repeatedly denied.
The newly-added drones “include a host of long-range drones” which are “now equipped with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, standoff, and smart bombs, as well as electronic warfare systems,” Iran’s state IRNA news agency said, adding that such modifications will enable the drones to “accomplish special missions.”
Iran started developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, during its brutal war with Iraq in the 1980s.
The recent batch of drones are produced by Iran’s defense ministry and designed for reconnaissance and strike missions.
Last May, Iran unveiled an underground drone base in the west of the country on state television without identifying its exact location.
In September, Tehran said it had developed a suicide drone with exclusive capabilities to strike the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa, with the two countries being bitter rivals.
The United States on Wednesday issued new sanctions on Iran’s drone program, targeting six entities in Asia including China for supplying an Iranian company.
Combat drones were on display at a military parade in Tehran on Tuesday marking the country’s annual Army Day, attended by President Ebrahim Raisi.
Iran is accused of supplying drones that have been used by Russia to target critical infrastructure in its war against Ukraine - a charge that Tehran has repeatedly denied.